An International Standards Advisory Committee recently convened to develop new standards for a Problem Gambling Specialty Designation. This specialty designation is for programs that treat gambling disorder and gambling-related harms. Gambling can be characterized as risking something of value on the outcome of a chance event. Problem gambling affects individuals across the spectrum of severity, from at-risk behaviors to a diagnosable gambling disorder, and its effects extend beyond the persons served to families/support systems and the broader community.
These standards will be published in the
2027 Behavioral Health Standards Manual and the
2027 Opioid Treatment Program Standards Manual.
About this Field Review This field review includes a description and 13 standards for the Problem Gambling Specialty Designation. Along with some of the standards you will see Notes that address connections to other standards in the manual and examples. For now, these are considered working notes and intended only to offer additional explanation to the standards.
An organization seeking accreditation for this specialty designation would meet the following standards:
| BH Standards Manual |
OTP Standards Manual |
| Section 1. ASPIRE to Excellence (business practice standards) |
Section 1. ASPIRE to Excellence (business practice standards) |
| Section 2. General Program Standards |
Section 2. General Program Standards |
Section 3. Standards for at least one of the following Core Treatment Programs:
- Case Management
- Crisis Programs
- Day Treatment
- Inpatient Treatment
- Intensive Outpatient Treatment
- Outpatient Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization
- Residential Treatment
- Therapeutic Communities
|
Section 3. Standards for at least one Core Opioid Treatment Program
or
Section 4. Standards for at least one Supplementary Opioid Treatment Program |
| Section 5. Problem Gambling Specialty Designation Standards |
Section 5. Problem Gambling Specialty Designation Standards |
If you have questions about this field review or would like to access other standards that are not open for comment but may facilitate your review of these standards, please contact Cindy Solochek at
csolochek@carf.org.
We value your time and opinion, and you are invited to comment on each of the proposed standards. Especially if you disagree with what is proposed, please provide an explanation and constructive feedback about how the standard could be improved.
If you would like to share this field review with others in your network, please forward the invitation email.
Deadline for SubmissionIn order for your feedback to be considered, this field review should be submitted by
Monday, October 26, 2026.